In its statement, the island’s cricket governing body said Sports Ministry did not approve the names of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera, despite the SLC’s intention to send the duo the World Cup.
The SLC also mentioned that it had plans to get Hasaranga and Chameera to play at some point in the tournament after they recover from injuries, but to no avail, as the Sports Ministry did not give its nod to send the two players without medical clearance.
The national selection committee had selected the initial squad, which both Hasaranga and Chameera were part of, during a selection meeting held on September 05 at the SLC headquarters, the statement read further.
“This was done despite the fact that both players were still recovering from injuries.”
Following the selection meeting, on the same day, SLC said it sent the squad seeking approval of the National Sports Selection Committee, which comes under the Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs.
According to the cricket body, the Sports Ministry, in response, had sent a letter to SLC on September 26, seeking medical clearance to approve the inclusion of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka.
“Finally, Sri Lanka Cricket, despite its intention to send Hasaranga and Chameera to the World Cup with the plan to play them at some point in the tournament after the duo recover from injuries, did not succeed, as the Sports Ministry did not approve the sending of the two players without medical clearance.”
